You can change your birth date in Facebook settings, but Facebook limits how often you can do it

To change your age on Facebook, go to your profile, select "Edit profile," find the birth date field, and update it. Facebook allows you to change your birth date, but the platform restricts how frequently you can make changes — you can only modify it a few times per year, and some changes may take time to process.

The exact rules depend on whether your account is new, whether you've changed your date before, and what you're changing it to. If you've already changed your birth date recently, Facebook may not let you change it again for several months.

Key Takeaways

  • Access your birth date through Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information to make the change directly.
  • Facebook limits birth date changes to a few times per year, and you may see a waiting period between changes.
  • If your account is very new or you've just changed your date, Facebook may lock the field temporarily.
  • Changes to your birth date can affect your age-restricted content access and ad targeting, so the change may not be instant across all Facebook features.

How to access your birth date settings

Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner of your screen. Select "Settings & Privacy," then click "Settings." On the left side, you'll see a menu — click "Personal Information." Your birth date field will appear here, along with your name, email, and phone number.

If you're on a mobile phone, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right, scroll down to "Settings & Privacy," then tap "Settings." Tap "Personal Information" and you'll see the same birth date field. The steps are identical whether you use a computer or phone.

Changing your birth date step by step

Click or tap directly on the birth date field. Facebook will open a date picker showing your current month, day, and year. Use the dropdown menus to select the correct month, day, and year. Once you've entered the new date, click "Save" or tap the checkmark button to confirm the change.

Facebook will ask you to re-enter your password to confirm the change is really you making it. Type your password and click "Continue." The system will process your request — this usually happens instantly, but occasionally Facebook holds the change for a few hours while it updates across the platform.

What to do if Facebook won't let you change your date

If you see a message saying you can't change your birth date right now, it means you've already changed it recently. Facebook enforces a waiting period between changes, typically several months. You'll need to wait before you can modify it again — there's no way to override this restriction.

If your account is brand new (less than a few days old), Facebook may also lock the birth date field temporarily while it verifies your account. Wait a few days and try again. If you're still unable to change it after a week, try logging out completely, closing your browser, and logging back in — sometimes this refreshes the system's permissions.

Why Facebook limits birth date changes

Facebook restricts birth date changes because age determines what content you can see and what ads you receive. Younger accounts see different ads and have access restrictions on age-gated content. Frequent changes could let people bypass these protections, so Facebook limits how often you can modify your date.

The restriction also helps Facebook detect fraudulent accounts. Scammers sometimes create fake accounts and change the birth date repeatedly to avoid detection. By limiting changes, Facebook makes it harder for bad actors to manipulate the system.

How birth date changes affect your account

When you change your birth date, Facebook updates your age across the platform, but the change may not be instant everywhere. Your ad preferences will shift to match your new age category, and age-restricted content access will update within a few hours. If you changed your date to be younger, you may temporarily lose access to some content until the system fully processes the change.

Your birthday reminder to friends won't change immediately — Facebook may continue showing your old birthday to your friends for a day or two. If you want to update your birthday notification, you can edit the privacy settings for your birthday separately in the same Personal Information section.

Changing your birth date privacy settings

In the Personal Information section where you edit your birth date, you'll see privacy icons next to the field. Click the icon to choose who can see your birth date — you can set it to "Public" (everyone), "Friends" (only your friends), or "Only Me" (private). You can also hide your birth date entirely by selecting "Hide from timeline."

These privacy settings are separate from the birth date itself. You can change who sees your birthday without changing the actual date, and you can change the date without changing the privacy setting. Adjust both to match what you're comfortable with.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times can I change my birth date on Facebook?

Facebook allows you to change your birth date a few times per year, but the exact number isn't publicly specified. After each change, you'll typically need to wait several months before making another change. If you try to change it too soon, you'll see a message telling you to wait.

Will my friends see when I change my birth date?

No, Facebook doesn't notify your friends when you change your birth date. However, if you change your birthday (the month and day), your birthday reminder to friends may shift. Your friends won't receive a notification about the change itself.

Can I change my birth date if I'm under 18?

Yes, you can change your birth date regardless of your age. However, if you change your date to make yourself younger, you may lose access to certain content and features that Facebook restricts for minors. If you change it to make yourself older, you'll gain access to age-gated content.

What happens if I change my birth date to a very different age?

Facebook will process the change, but it may trigger a security review if the change is extreme (for example, changing from 25 to 75). You may be asked to verify your identity or confirm the change is legitimate. This is a safety measure to prevent account takeovers.

Can I hide my birth date completely on Facebook?

Yes. In Personal Information, click the privacy icon next to your birth date and select "Only Me" to make it completely private. You can also select "Hide from timeline" to keep it hidden from your profile while still having it on file with Facebook.